What do you look forward to most about Heaven? This was the question posed during an opening devotional at a business meeting last week. Answers ranged from, “I don’t think about Heaven very much – I don’t think I get it and so I just trust” and “I’m ashamed to say, I’ve had thoughts in the past about the continuous chanting and it worries me – will I be bored there?” to “I look forward to reuniting with loved ones” and “I’m looking forward to seeing Jesus face-to-face.”
As we prepared to consider business here on Earth the scripture reading for the devotional was from Colossians 3:2, ‘Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.’ The discussion was Heaven. The issue, we all agreed, was that we should be thinking about heaven more.
What do you look forward to most about Heaven?
Have you ever been reading a book, listening to a sermon, or on your knees in prayer and been completely overwhelmed with a flood of emotion to commit everything to the LORD? This is the time, I want to let go of everything I want and give it all to the LORD, I’m done with doing it my way, I always mess everything up, I want to rest and trust the LORD with everything: every moment, every thought, every desire.
Expressing this feeling in words is challenging. Perfect freedom. Perfect trust. Perfect peace. If I’ve gotten close at all you may be recalling your own testimony of how you came to Christ or a renewed commitment to Christ along the way. This feeling, in my estimation, is as good as it gets this side of life’s great divide.
However, for me, this feeling is all too shortly followed by a failure. My flesh realizes a victory as I choose, say, entertainment over time in the Word, etc.
Still, If even for a brief moment, that feeling touches my soul as if to say, ‘this is what you were created for.” I can not wait to be done with the fight against the flesh. Until then, and through the power of the Spirit, we fight the good fight.
God would You bless us with more and more freedom from self as we wait on You? Please be gentle with us LORD. May our souls find rest in You. Amen.
Psalm 27:13-14
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!
Today’s reading: James 5 and Psalm 27
Sources for study on Heaven:
- Heaven (sermon series)
Sources for study on eternal rewards:
- Believer’s Rewards (sermon)
- Eternal Rewards and Motivation (Q&A article)
- Should Christians be Motivated by Eternal Rewards (Q&A article)
- Luke 16 – The Shrewd Manager (youtube sermon)
- Stewardship, the Shrewd Manager and Heavenly Rewards (BibleJournal.net post)